Rourkela: With the scorching summer heat making life miserable here this year, not only human beings, but the animals also are tormented by the ongoing unprecedented heatwave. The Horticulture department has been taking all necessary steps and precautions to protect the animals, birds and reptiles of Indira Gandhi Park Zoo and Deer Park of SAIL, Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP). Coolers have been installed in the enclosures of monkeys, macau and other avian species. Cool water is being sprayed over bear, deer and emus regularly through water tankers. Water pools have been dug inside the paddock for bear, deer and emus to bathe in. The normal summer care provided includes succulent feed and anti-stress formulations in drinking water to the primates, deer and birds. Round the-clock water supply is ensured for all birds and animals.
Flowing water has been arranged so as to avoid scum formation. Water is provided in ponds for wallowing animals. The dwellings are cleaned on a regular basis with medicinal disinfectants to prevent diseases. Water tankers are provided for sprinkling water on the sheds of the animals on every alternate day to prevent excessive heat. All-out efforts are being made to avoid dehydration, sunstroke and other heat-related problems among the zoo dwellers. Special care is being taken for endangered and sensitive species so they can get into the water anytime and keep cooling themselves off. Indira Gandhi Park Zoo is the second largest integrated zoo of the state which houses 135 animals and birds belonging to 23 species. It gets a footfall of around one lakh visitors annually